We can talk about simple upgrade jobs in this thread too right?
Within a month here I think I'll be making the final decision on getting a new GPU to replace my 8800GT.
Specs:
Dell XPS 420 (store-bought, need to find case dimensions)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
GeForce 8800GT 512
3GB RAM
1440 x 900 screen
240v Max PSU
Windows Vista 32bit (Will upgrade to Win7 64bit soon)
I can't overclock this system. Upgrading the CPU would basically mean getting a new system entirely.
Price Range: sub-$300 if possible for the GPU and PSU combined. United States.
Need to Run:
Crysis 2
Witcher 2
(Possibly) Dragon Age 2
Portal 2
Deux Ex Human Revolution
(Possibly) Battlefield 3
Need Better Performance On:
Crysis
ArmA II
Bad Company 2
GTA IV
The two candidates I'm looking at are the GTX 460 and the Radeon HD 6850 (which I heard was more powerful than the 460 but required less power).
I probably won't be able to upgrade to anything like a 1080p screen until later in the year, so how much of an improvement would I see on a 1440 x 900 screen? How much will the CPU hold it back if I can't upgrade or overclock it at all? My other main concern is figuring out which cards would actually fit in my current case. How can I look up case dimensions for the XPS 420?
According to my measurements, my space has room for a video card in about the following dimensions:
Length: 10"
Width: 4.5"
Thickness: either 1.75" or 4" depending.
I could be wrong though. Some areas are thicker than others and I don't know if other cards maintain the same shape throughout.
My current 8800gt is 9" long, around 4.5" wide, and half and inch thick.